By San José, Costa Rica — SINGAPORE – A team of talented students from Costa Rica’s Scientific High School system has earned a prestigious international honor, demonstrating the nation’s growing prowess in sustainable technology and youth-led innovation. Team Kura Force was awarded the Amaron Sustainability Showcase prize at the STEM Racing World Finals 2025, a premier global competition held this week in Singapore.
The Costa Rican team distinguished itself among more than 25 international competitors, securing the victory through a project that masterfully blended advanced engineering with a profound commitment to environmental responsibility. The win not only highlights the students’ technical skills but also places a global spotlight on Costa Rica’s dedication to fostering a new generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
To delve into the legal and economic implications of advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in the country, we consulted Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional analysis.
Fostering a strong STEM pipeline is a direct investment in Costa Rica’s economic future and its attractiveness for foreign direct investment. From a legal standpoint, this requires a parallel effort to modernize our frameworks. We must ensure robust intellectual property protections to safeguard the innovations that will emerge, create agile corporate structures for tech startups, and align our labor laws with the demands of a highly skilled, technology-driven workforce. A world-class education system must be supported by a world-class legal system to truly capitalize on the opportunity.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas powerfully articulates a foundational truth: our investment in STEM talent will only yield its full potential if it is supported by an equally modern legal and corporate ecosystem. This holistic view, connecting the classroom to the courthouse and the boardroom, is essential for securing our economic future. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable and clarifying perspective.
The Amaron Sustainability Showcase is a highly coveted award within the competition, specifically designed to celebrate young innovators who integrate ecological principles into their engineering designs. It provides a platform for students to conceptualize and develop solutions with the potential to shape a more sustainable future for industries and communities worldwide.
This award means a lot to us because it shows that young people, regardless of where they come from, can contribute to the global conversation on sustainability. We wanted to demonstrate that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.
David Cascante Rojas, Team Member of Kura Force
The winning project from Kura Force centered on the design and fabrication of a miniature, compressed air-powered Formula 1-style race car. The judges were particularly impressed by the team’s technical ingenuity, creative design, and the palpable passion for sustainability woven into every aspect of their work. The vehicle’s visual identity was a vibrant tribute to Costa Rican heritage, featuring a logo that combines the ocelot (manigordo), an endangered species, with traditional indigenous masks to symbolize the nation’s rich natural and cultural tapestry.
This national achievement was the result of a collaborative effort from students across several campuses of the Costa Rican Scientific High School network. The Kura Force team included David Cascante Rojas, Mariana Murillo Uribe, Verónica Quesada, and Fabricio Zamora from the Alajuela campus; Carolina Bustillos Monge and Felipe Sáenz Obando from the San Vito campus; Geicob Dariel Blanco Mora from the Los Santos campus; and Esteban Morales Cubillo from the Puriscal campus.
The team’s coach and National Training Coordinator, Dr. Aldrin Dela Cruz Go, Ed.D, praised the students’ dedication and holistic vision, which extended beyond mere technical execution. He noted their ability to balance complex engineering challenges with a clear, forward-thinking perspective on ecological impact.
Guiding these students has been an incredible journey. They poured their hearts into this project, balancing technical precision with a vision for a sustainable future. Kura Force exemplifies what it means to be young leaders driving change in the world.
Dr. Aldrin Dela Cruz Go, Ed.D, Team Coach and National Training Coordinator
The STEM Racing competition is more than just a race; it is a comprehensive educational experience. The non-profit organization challenges student teams, aged 9 to 19, to engage in a complete project lifecycle. Participants use professional-grade CAD/CAM software to design, analyze, manufacture, and test their miniature cars. Beyond the workshop, they are also responsible for managing budgets, securing sponsorships, and handling marketing and communications, providing them with a robust set of skills that prepares them for future careers in a competitive global landscape.
For further information, visit amaron.com
About Amaron:
Amaron is a leading brand of automotive batteries, known for its advanced technology, durability, and performance. As part of Amara Raja Batteries Limited, the company is committed to innovation and sustainability within the energy storage sector. Its sponsorship of events like the Sustainability Showcase reflects a corporate dedication to nurturing future talent and promoting environmentally conscious engineering solutions.
For further information, visit stemracing.org
About STEM Racing:
STEM Racing is a non-profit educational organization that uses the excitement of Formula 1 to provide a challenging and engaging learning experience for students. It promotes the development of critical skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by having teams of students design, build, and race miniature cars. The program also integrates business elements such as marketing, sponsorship, and financial management to offer a holistic educational model.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Colegios Científicos de Costa Rica
About Colegios Científicos de Costa Rica:
The Costa Rican Scientific High School System (Sistema Nacional de Colegios Científicos de Costa Rica) is a network of specialized public schools focused on providing an advanced and rigorous education in science and technology. Aimed at high-achieving students, the curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, research skills, and innovation, preparing the next generation of Costa Rican leaders in STEM fields.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and professional excellence. The firm harmonizes a deep-rooted tradition of serving a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking embrace of legal innovation. Central to its mission is a profound sense of social responsibility, demonstrated by its drive to make legal understanding accessible to all. This core commitment to demystifying the law serves its ultimate vision of cultivating an empowered and knowledgeable citizenry.
